Feminists at 'The View' Fire Star Jones . . . for Failing to Be Fat

AP/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

June 28, 2006

As a veteran Couric watcher, I've recently come to follow [without actually watching] doings at The View, since Katie's replacement Meredith Vieira was for years a member of the show's cast. For those unfamiliar with it, The View is an all-female televised coffee klatsch and gabfest of which Barbara Walters is the creator, partial owner and a co-host.

The View has a distinct liberal tint to its patter. And as we know, one of the tenets of feminist theology is that women have a right to whatever kind of body size they want, free of societal restraints.

How ironic - some might say hypocritical - that one reason for the recent firing of co-host Star Jones is that . . . she refused to stay fat! As you'll note from the before and after pics here, Star has undergone a dramatic physical transformation. According to this AP article:

"Walters said ABC network chiefs had decided last fall not to renew Reynolds' contract because its research showed that Reynolds' dramatic weight loss and 2004 wedding to banker Al Reynolds had turned viewers off."

My personal view is that employers, subject to their contractual agreements, should be able to hire and fire as per their own standards. Long live Hooters. But isn't this a case of The View not practicing what it preaches? Why, were the tables turned, some might even accuse a conservative show that fired Jones under similar circumstances of racism, of trying to keep Star down on the 'fat farm.'

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The View/NewsBusters fat farm ping to Today show list.

[dennisw]

I was over at news busters and was amazed at how many comments the Mark Finkelstein blog gets

[llevrok]

So Starr went to the doctor and was told she is too thin.

"I want a second opinion, Doctor.", she asked.

"Ok", said the doc. "You're ugly too."

[tiredoflaundry]

*groan*

[dennisw]

[fortheDeclaration]

The View has a distinct liberal tint to its patter. And as we know, one of the tenets of feminist theology is that women have a right to whatever kind of body size they want, free of societal restraints

You mean free of male judging and choosing.

[dennisw]

That one's as old as the hills and Rodney Dangerfield

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Walters has changed her tune since Jones announced on the show that she was leaving, it's turning into a nice catfight. Jones' replacement will be Rosie O'Donnell, once again making a bold statement as to the lack of any sort of relevance The View has in the real world.

[llevrok]

Oh admit it, TOL. That was you're kind of joke! (mine too)

[TomGuy]

"Walters said ABC network chiefs had decided last fall not to renew Reynolds' contract because its research showed that Reynolds' dramatic weight loss and 2004 wedding to banker Al Reynolds had turned viewers off."

Per Fox&Friends this morning, Walters or 'The View' are now saying they had no intention of renewing Reynolds' contract because she 'took too much stuff and used her position to ask for freebies for her wedding', which was against 'The View' policies.

Behar has been the 'comedic' on the program. It will be interesting for watchers to see whether catfights develop between Behar and O'Donnell.

[tiredoflaundry]

LOL! I admit it did make me laugh!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Not amazing at all. That Finkelstein guy is great, if I do say so myself ;-)

But seriously, my item on 'Canoegate' a few months ago has attracted over 245,000 hits.

http://newsbusters.org/node/2199

And the one more recently about Ian McKellen's suggestion the Bible come with a fiction disclaimer was so popular it literally crashed NewsBusters servers!

http://newsbusters.org/node/5402

[paudio]

So, they are replacing a fat black woman with a fat white woman? Hmmm... that seat probably is designated for a fat woman.

[GOP_Proud]

< Jones' replacement will be Rosie O'Donnell... >

Thus jumping the shark even faster. I will be delighted when this show dies. It's been a liberal love fest for 9 years.

[dennisw]

That Bruce Finkelsteen guy seems very busy these days. Here is a witty comment from his?your? Ian McKellen thread

"When homosexuals attack...."

[Past Your Eyes]

I miss Rodney Dangerfield.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

My understanding is that Rosie is replacing Vieira. Don't think Star's replacement has been named.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I did set a personal record yesterday, posting five items at NewsBusters. Just for the record, it's Mark Finkelstein.

[maggief]